Bangladesh women’s national football team captain Sabina Khatun was suddenly dropped from the starting XI in the second friendly match against Chinese Taipei at the King's Arena last June.
The British coach of the team, Peter Butler said that the skipper lost her place due to exhaustion. Butler also said that if you want to be in the XI regularly, not only experience, skill is very important.
Forward Sabina had to sit on the bench for the first time in her 14-year long journey with the Red-Green jersey.
Sabina, the 30-year old booter, who was captain of the team for a long period, realized that despite she was the coach’s ‘auto choice’ for last 14 year, is no longer.
Now it is big challenge for her to make room in the first XI – “Yes, the challenge is increasing day by day. I’m just trying to play my game. The newcomers are also doing well.”
Sabina is the only player of Bangladesh women football who played five SAFF tournaments. The forward is gearing up to play another SAFF in Nepal starting on October 17.
However, Sabina was not seen in her best rhythm in the last matches of the national team. Despite this, Sabina is still one of the influential member of the team in Peter Butler’s eyes. The British coach said, “I have a lot of respect and love for Sabina. I hope she get back her rhythm.”
“It consider her as a different type of footballer and she is still a part of our team. Everyone has to perform to be in the starting line up and discipline is also very important,” ” Butler added.
Sagarika, who scored a hat-trick in her debut match against Bhutan last July, and Surubhi Akand Preeti, who showed skill in the age group, are now one of Peter Butler’s favourites. They are accompanied by regular performers like Shamsunnahar Junior and Tahura Khatun. Krishna Rani Sarkar along with the experienced Sabina have to fight for a place.
Thinking about the future, Bangladesh coach said that he is leaning towards the newcomers - “Shamsunnahar junior, Tahura, Sagarika are also doing great now. They are being prepared not only for this SAFF, but for the next
few years.” Peter Butler will announce the SAFF team today. Bangladesh girls will go to Nepal on October 15.
